Trippier thanks Burnley fans for their support

Tottenham Hotspur's Nacer Chadli (left) and Burnley's Kieran Trippier (right) battle for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday April 5, 2015. See PA story SOCCER Burnley. Photo credit should read: Lynne Cameron/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures or club/league logos.

Published:10:09Monday 29 June 2015

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Kieran Trippier admits he didn’t want to leave Burnley, but couldn’t turn down the chance to join Spurs.

Trippier agreed a five-year deal at White Hart Lane following a £3.5m switch earlier this month, and was at Turf Moor on Thursday to say his goodbyes.

Burnley honoured an agreement that he could leave should they be relegated from the Premier League, but suffering that fate hurt the former Manchester City youngster, who played with his heart on his sleeve for four seasons with the club.

Trippier said: “Everyone, from the gaffer to the fans themselves, have supported me for four years and I will never forget that,” said Trippier.

“It is devastating to leave Burnley, but I want to play in the Premier League and be the best player I can be.

“I’d like to think I’ve given everything to the club. I always gave 110%.”

Trippier left for a fee arguably below his market value, due to a clause in his contract, and Burnley will receive around £2.26million, with City entitled to 40% of any profit from their £400,000 sale in January 2012.

And he explained: “I know a lot has been made of the fee, but I only had a year left last year and I could have run that down and gone on a Bosman (free transfer).

“But I wanted to sign and give Burnley fans a year in the Premier League,” said Trippier.

“The understanding was that if we were relegated I could leave.

“I was devastated when we got relegated because I didn’t want to leave the club.

“There was a lot going through my mind, but Tottenham came in and when a team that, who are in the Europa League and who finished fifth in the Premier League last season, wants you, you don’t think twice.

“I’ve had so many good messages from the fans and I’m thankful for that.”

And Trippier hailed boss Sean Dyche for helping him become a better player: “I always wanted to play in the Premier League and when the current gaffer came in it changed everything for me, and what a manager he has been for this club.

“He has changed my game because everyone will know that when he came we were conceding goals for fun.

“I’d love to play for him for the rest of my career, but sometimes you have to move on.”